World News in Brief: Guterres calls for fair swtich to clean energy, Ramadan in Gaza, violence and displacement escalate in South Sudan

This article is published in association with United Nations.

The world has “entered the age of clean energy” and renewables are now the cheapest, fastest and safest source of new electricity almost everywhere, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a video message to the International Energy Agency ministerial meeting in Paris on Wednesday.

He warned that the world’s addiction to fossil fuels remains “one of the greatest threats to global stability and prosperity,” and criticised efforts by some fossil fuel interests to slow progress and spread disinformation.

“Those who lead this transition will lead the global economy of the future,” he added.

Fair transition

Mr. Guterres called for the creation of a dedicated global platform to coordinate an orderly, affordable and fair transition away from fossil fuels, aligned with the 1.5°C climate goal. 

The platform, he said, should unite producers, consumers, financial institutions and civil society to sequence the decline of fossil fuel investments while scaling up clean energy.

“We face a choice,” the Secretary-General said. “Design the transition together – or stumble into it through crisis and chaos.” 

Families in Gaza mark Ramadan amid dire conditions

In Gaza, UN humanitarian officials report that families are marking the first day of Ramadan in harsh conditions — many sheltering in unsafe areas or in the open, with limited access to food, water, and essential services. 

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At the Rafah crossing with Egypt, conditions for passengers remain inadequate, according to UN aid coordination office OCHA.  

Humanitarian teams visiting the re-opened crossing found significant gaps in basic facilities, including too few latrines and handwashing stations, raising hygiene concerns. 

Ensuring safety and dignity

“People are experiencing prolonged waiting periods, often in areas with limited shade, with insufficient seating and a lack of wheelchairs. The condition of the access road to and from Rafah is also of concern, particularly for patients needing medical evacuation,” UN Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said in New York. 

The UN and its partners are engaging with relevant authorities to ensure safety and dignity for all crossing passengers. 

Aid agencies working on food security have also adjusted distribution hours to align with fasting times during Ramadan, aiming to reduce overcrowding and improve access for older people, persons with disabilities, and women heads of household.

South Sudan: Violence and displacement escalate in Jonglei as humanitarian needs mount

Conflict-related sexual violence continues to devastate lives in Jonglei state, South Sudan, where displaced people report widespread abuses by armed actors, according to a multi-agency UN assessment conducted from 12 to 14 February.

OCHA warned of a sharp deterioration in protection conditions, citing sexual violence against women and girls, family separation, and the alleged recruitment of adolescents by armed groups.

Survivor accounts describe rape, abduction, sexual assault and forced stripping, sometimes accompanied by killings when victims resisted. Many children remain unaccompanied or separated from their families, living with distant relatives or community members without stable care. 

Most adolescent girls are unaware of available protection services and rely mainly on peers for support.

Persistent insecurity 

The crisis unfolds amid persistent insecurity, with clashes between the military and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) displacing some 280,000 people since December.

The UN sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA, warned that disrupted maternity and emergency obstetric services are forcing women to give birth without skilled care, increasing preventable deaths. 

At least 16 health facilities have been attacked or looted since late 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported. 

UN agencies stress urgent action to protect civilians and prevent further violence against women and children.